Pre scoratic Flashcards
What separated the Pre Socratics from those before them ?
They started to question the world.
Instead of attributing their surroundings to the greek gods, they looked for more rationale explanations that could explain the world, the univer and their existence.
What was Arché ?
The basic material of the universe.
This what the Pre Socratics searched for.
What did the Pre Socratics search for ?
A primary principle, known as Arché ( Ar-kay)
What did the Pre Socratics determine based on the fact not everything in the universe looks the same or remains in the same exact state ?
There must be principles of change that the Arché contain.
What does Pre Socratic mean ?
Before Socrates.
Socrates was actually alive during the time.
So these don’t mean they belong prior to the philosophy of Socrates.
Rather, it relates to the difference in ideologies and principles.
Not many pre Socratic writings survived.
Plato is the first real philosopher who’s work we have.
Where did the first Pre Socratic thinks originate ?
Miletus ( Modern Turkey )
What three important thinkers came out of the Milesian school ?
Thales
Anaximander
Anaximenes
What did Thales claim the Arché/single element was ?
Water
What did Anaximander think the Arché was ?
An undefined, unimited and indefinite substance known as apeiron
What did Anaximenes think the Arché was ?
Air.
What did Pythagoras believe the basis for all reality was ?
Mathematical relations and that mathematics governed everything.
What did Pythagoras believes was possible through the use of mathematics ?
That everything could be measured and predicted
What did Pythagoras’ students believe about his teachings ?
They were the philosophies of the gods.
Whose work was the whole Aethesian school based on ?
Heraclitus
What did Heraclitus believe ?
That everything in nature is constantly changing.
